Automatic Flush Toilet Tank Assembly

ABSTRACT

An automatic flush toilet tank assembly is provided. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly includes a flotation assembly having a sealing device. The sealing device is adapted for releasably sealing a closure mechanism to prevent water flow through the closure mechanism. The device further includes a blocking mechanism releasably connected to at least a portion of the flotation assembly. The blocking mechanism has a first position for preventing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly and a second position for allowing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly. Buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly releases the sealing device and allows water flow through the closure mechanism. The assembly also allows the administration of anti-bacterial products without the need to come into contact with the potable water supply and contains an overflow mechanism in case the water supply cutoff to the toilet tank should fail.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationPCT/US2006/014844 filed Apr. 19, 2006 (pending), designating the UnitedStates, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

Applicant claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the benefit of priority of thefiling date of Apr. 20, 2005 of Spanish Patent Application Serial No.P200501082/0, filed on the aforementioned date, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet tanks, and in particular to atoilet tank that automatically empties the water contained inside whenactivated.

BACKGROUND

Previously, in order to use toilet tanks in bathrooms and the like, ithas been necessary to continuously press a push button or else raise orpull a chain to flush the toilet. Pressing the button or raising orpulling the chain causes a seal that is located over the outlet drain onthe floor of the toilet tank to rise. This seal was placed over theoutlet drain by the action of the water weight inside the toilet tank.Thus, the act of emptying the toilet tank is accomplished contrary togravitational force for the water inside the toilet tank. In otherwords, to empty the toilet tank, a force must be exerted that is greaterthan the weight of the water on top of the seal.

Furthermore, in current toilet tanks, anti-bacterial products typicallyare added directly to the water inside the toilet tank. However, in somecountries and under some laws, anti-bacterial products are not permittedto be added to locations that come into direct contact with the potablewater intake.

An automatic flush toilet tank assembly according to the presentinvention overcomes the aforementioned difficulties, because it includesa flushing system that does not need to overcome the force of the waterweight inside the toilet tank. The present invention also allowsanti-bacterial products to be applied directly into the toilet bowlwithout the need to apply them to the toilet tank water.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present invention, an automatic flush toilet tankassembly is provided. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly includesa flotation assembly having a sealing device. The sealing device isadapted for releasably sealing a closure mechanism to prevent water flowthrough the closure mechanism. The device further includes a blockingmechanism releasably connected to at least a portion of the flotationassembly. The blocking mechanism has a first position for preventingbuoyant displacement of the flotation assembly and a second position forallowing buoyant displacement of the flotation assembly. Buoyantdisplacement of the flotation assembly releases the sealing device andallows water flow through the closure mechanism.

In another aspect of this invention the automatic flush toilet tankassembly includes a device that allows the water to empty automaticallywhen placed inside the toilet tank, whether activated by a manualflushing mechanism or by infrared detection or a push button. This isused especially for handicapped persons, where the toilet tank flushtakes place automatically without needing to overcome the action of thewater weight contained inside the toilet tank.

The device contained inside the toilet tank to automatically empty thewater is aided by the buoyancy forces which equal the weight of thevolume of displaced liquid. After activating the flushing mechanism, itis unnecessary to exert any force whatsoever to overcome resistance,such as the weight of the water inside the toilet tank as required byconventional flushing mechanisms.

In order to accomplish this, this device is made up of a float firmlyjoined to a tube inside it. Within this tube runs another tube throughwhich the anti-bacterial liquid is administered.

On the floor of the toilet tank is an additional closure assemblymechanism made up of a threaded closure piece onto which a nut istightened.

At the bottom of the float and interior tube assembly is a seal thatrests on and closes against the closure mechanism sitting on the bottomof the toilet tank. This entire assembly of float, tube and seal wouldtend to rise when faced with the entry of water inside the toilet tank.However, such displacement is prevented by a stem which strikes aflushing cap joined to the top of the assembly to prevent the assembly'sdisplacement.

At the moment after the flushing mechanism is activated to empty thetoilet tank, the stem that prevents the float and its conjoined partsfrom rising is displaced.

When this stem is displaced, the float begins its rise. That is thepoint at which the bottom seal separates from the closure mechanismlocated on the floor of the toilet tank, and the water starts to emptyinto the toilet bowl. All of this takes place without the need toovercome any resistance from the water weight contained inside thetoilet tank.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of a toilet tank and differentflushing mechanisms;

FIGS. 2A-2D show a filling and emptying sequence for an automatic flushtoilet tank assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a partial exploded view of an automatic flush toilet tankassembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 shows an assembled automatic flush toilet tank assembly accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A toilet tank (1) is shown in FIG. 1, above which are arrayed flushingmechanisms to automatically empty the toilet tank. The flushingmechanism include an infrared flush device (2), a manual flush device(3), and an automatic or push button flush device (4) especiallydesigned for persons with disabilities. The flushing mechanisms can beactivated individually or in combination. FIG. 1 also illustrates abacteriostat (5) with an “auto-flash” intake above the infrared flusher.Any type of anti-bacterial product dispensing device may be used withthe present invention as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

In order to empty automatically after activating the flushing mechanismsand without needing to overcome the weight of the water on the sealinside the toilet tank, the toilet tank uses a flotation assembly thatincludes a float that tends to rise above the water in the toilet tank.Lifting displacement of the flotation assembly in the present inventionis prevented by a closure stem or cap over the rise of the float asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and described below.

In FIG. 2A, the toilet tank (1) is empty and the flotation assembly byvirtue of its own weight, including a float (6) and a seal (15), fallsover the closure mechanism (13). At this point the water begins to fillthe interior of the toilet tank. From the outset during the fillingprocess the water exerts pressure on the seal (15), closing the seal(15) against the closure mechanism (13). Shortly thereafter, buoyancyforces come into play on the float (6) and pressure forces on the seal(15).

As shown in FIG. 2B, the float (6) is unable to rise, however, because ablocking mechanism, including the stem (19), is covering the flushingcap (11). This causes the seal (15) to remain pressed against theclosure mechanism (13) and prevents water flow therethrough. Thepressure exerted on the stem (19) is equal to the difference between theforces of upward buoyancy experienced by the float (6) and the force ofthe downward pressure born by the seal (15). As a result, the force bornby the stem (19) is small.

In the present invention, the seal (15) is deformable, allowing for someplay in the closure. For example, in the event of poor calibrationbetween the stem position (19) and the flushing cap (11) at its highestpoint, the lack calibration will be absorbed by the seal (15). Exactpositioning of the parts is not required to maintain the seal (15)against the closure mechanism (13) as shown in FIG. 2B when water fillsthe toilet tank.

Upon activation of the flushing mechanism (2), (3) or (4), the closurestem (19) is displaced as shown in FIG. 2C. In the displaced position,the stem (19) no longer covers the cap (11), and the float (6) assemblybegins to rise. The stem (19) may be activated, for example, by anelectromagnetic mechanism. Given a current, the electromagneticmechanism will produce displacement of a magnetic core, which in thiscase is the stem (19), away from the cap (11). It will be recognizedthat additional mechanisms may be used to displace the stem (19).

As the float (6) begins to rise, the seal (15) separates itself from theclosure mechanism (13) located on the floor of the toilet tank (1), asshown in FIG. 2D. This allows the water in the tank (1) to empty throughthe closure mechanism (13).

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of an automatic flush toilet tankassembly according to the present invention. The automatic flush toilettank assembly includes a flotation assembly having a float (6) with atube (7) inside that includes holes (8) and (9) near both ends to serveas an overflow mechanism in case the water shutoffs to the toilet tankdo not perform properly. The float (6) is shown in FIGS. 2A-2D and hasnot been included in FIG. 3 for clarity.

On the bottom end of the tube (7) is the seal (15) and a bottom guide(16) for passage of the supply tube (12) for the anti-bacterialproducts. Similarly, there is another guide (10) at the top of the tube(7) with a threaded hole into which the flushing cap (11) is screwed.

The automatic flush toilet tank assembly also includes a closuremechanism sitting on the floor of the toilet tank (1). The closuremechanism (13) may include an adjustable rubber piece (17) on theunderside of the surface resting on the toilet tank floor. The closuremechanism (13) may also include an open end that is threaded, and a nut(14) is adjusted onto it. A rod or supply tube (12) may be connected tothe closure mechanism (13) to administer the anti-bacterial productsdirectly into the toilet bowl.

FIG. 4 illustrates the assembled automatic flush toilet tank assembly ofthe present invention. The assembly is shown with the flotationassembly, including float (6), the closure mechanism (13), and theblocking mechanism (21) with the mechanisms responsible for releasingthe closure stem (19), as well as a manual switch (24).

As described above, during the filling of the toilet tank (1), pressureis at first exerted on the seal (15). Then later, in addition to thegrowing pressure exerted on the seal (15), the force of buoyancy comesinto play, which is exerted upwards on the float (6). Since buoyancyforces exerted on the float (6) are greater than the pressure exerted onthe seal (15), in case of poor calibration or some play between theclosing cap (11) and the stem (19), this difference would be absorbed bythe deformation of the seal (15) as the seal (15) is pressed against theclosure mechanism (13).

An elastic anchor ring (18) may be included on the top of the float (6)where the float (6) is joined to the tube (7).

The flushing mechanisms activate the blocking mechanism (21) to allowthe float assembly (6) rise. In the present embodiment, the blockingmechanism (21) includes a motor (22). When the blocking mechanism (21)is activated through the manual switch (24) or another startingmechanism, the motor (22) begins to rotate. Rotation of the motor (22)frees a trigger (23) that allows the float assembly (6) to rise. Theblocking mechanism (21) also is configured to cut off the power supplyto the motor and hence its rotation, for example, when the blockingmechanism senses an increase in power draw as maximum rotation of themotor is achieved . Once the toilet tank has emptied and the floatassembly returns to its original position with the seal (15) pressedagainst the closure mechanism (13) due to its own weight, the trigger(23) can return to its blocking position, for example due to springaction. The configuration described above makes it possible to power theblocking mechanism by batteries (25), since its power draw is very low.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description beregarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understoodthat it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that areintended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.

1. An automatic flush toilet tank assembly, the assembly comprising: aflotation assembly including a sealing device adapted for releasablysealing a closure mechanism to prevent water flow through the closuremechanism; and a blocking mechanism releasably connected to at least aportion of the flotation assembly, the blocking mechanism having a firstposition for preventing buoyant displacement of the flotation assemblyand a second position for allowing buoyant displacement of the flotationassembly, wherein buoyant displacement of the flotation assemblyreleases the sealing device and allows water flow through the closuremechanism.
 2. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1,wherein the flotation assembly further comprises a tube extendingthrough a float and having a first end portion and a second end portion,the second end portion being connected to the sealing device.
 3. Theautomatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, wherein the closuremechanism includes an adjustable rubber piece for supporting the closuremechanism on the inside surface of the toilet tank and wherein an end ofthe closure mechanism protrudes on the outside of the toilet tank. 4.The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 2, wherein the tubeincludes at least one hole for overflow.
 5. The automatic flush toilettank assembly of claim 2, wherein the tube further includes a supplytube extending therethrough for supplying a product directly into atoilet bowl.
 6. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1,further comprising a flushing mechanism operably connected to theblocking mechanism.
 7. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim6, wherein the flushing mechanism includes at least one activationdevice selected from an infrared, manual, automatic or push buttondevice.
 8. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, whereinthe blocking mechanism further comprises a motor that rotates a triggeroperatively connected to the flotation assembly, wherein the flushingmechanism activates rotation of the motor.
 9. The automatic flush toilettank assembly of claim 8 wherein a battery supplies the power to themotor.
 10. The automatic flush toilet tank assembly of claim 1, whereinthe blocking mechanism includes a magnetic core that iselectromagnetically movable between the first position and the secondposition.